The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 107

Chapter 107 The echoes of the police station's walls seemed to linger in my mind as | left, the weight of Bruce’s

escape still heavy on my shoulders. After the chaos at the law firm and my encounter with Timothy, | was eager to leave it all behind and return to the comfort of my own home.

As | stepped out of the station, the cool evening air was a welcome relief, but | was far from prepared for what awaited me.

| had barely taken a few steps when | heard my name being called from behind. | turned, only to find a group of people rushing toward me. They wore eager smiles and carried cameras and microphones.

“Evie! Over here, Evie!” one of them shouted, thrusting a phone in my face. | blinked, my heart racing. | started backing away, having had enough of my share of paparazzi run ins. “You and Timothy are so inspirational!” one of the young girls squealed, her wide smile exposing neon braces on her teeth.

| ducked my head, my brow furrowing in confusion. “I’m sorry, but | think you have the wrong person. | don’t know who you're talking about.”

The group exchanged knowing glances, and the girl laughed nervously. “Come on, Evie, don’t be shy. We’re the TEVIE fan club, dedicated to spreading the love between you and Timothy.”

My heart sank as | realized what was happening. It never ends with these people.

“| appreciate your support, but there’s nothing romantic between Timothy and me,” | said, my voice firm. That statement had become my motto lately.

The girls didn’t seem convinced. They continued to barrage me with questions, pushing phones in my face, They were just as persistent as the tabloids.

| tried to back away, but they closed in, their excitement bordering on fanaticism. “Tell us, Evie, how did you feel when Timothy saved you from Bruce? Was it a magical moment?”

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| couldn't believe what | was hearing. “No. It wasn’t like that between us, girls, really.

The disappointment on their faces was painful to watch, and | averted my gaze as their wide eyes became glossy. | felt like | was letting them down by not conforming to their fantasy.

As | tried to make my escape, one of them stepped in front of me, blocking my path. “But Evie, you and Timothy would make such a cute couplocking my

a try?”

Why not give it

| couldn't help but feel a surge of frustration. “My personal life is my own. business,” | said firmly. “I don’t owe anyone an explanation.”

With that, | finally managed to break free from the crowd of fans. | hurriedly walked away, my heart still racing. It was disturbing how people could create a narrative about your life, whether you wanted it or not.

As | left the chaotic streets behind and slipped into a narrow, dimly lit alleyway, | couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief. The relentless attention from the TEVIE fan club and the media’s obsession with our supposed romance had become overwhelming. | needed just one moment to gather myself...

| reached into my bag and pulled out my phone, quickly dialing Penny’s number. She was my guide, the one person | could turn to with all the media madness.

The phone rang several times before Penny’s familiar voice filled my ear. “Hey, Evie, what's up?”

I let out a sigh of relief at hearing her friendly voice. “Penny, it’s been crazy out here. Can you let me in on what they're saying about Timothy and me?”

There was a pause on the other end, and | could almost picture Penny scrolling through her phone. “Well, they’re officially calling you and Timothy a couple,” she replied. “It’s all over the headlines.

“Timothy and Evie: Love in the Limelight.””

My heart sank at the words. It was as if my personal life had been turned into a soap opera for the world to watch. “Penny, you know this isn’t true, right? Timothy and | are just friends.”

Penny's voice held a note of amusement. “Evie, don’t you get it? The media loves a

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good love story, and right now, you and Timothy are the hottest couple in town. Everyone is falling in love with TEVIE.”

| pressed a hand to my forehead, feeling the migraine set in. The narrative had. spun completely out of control, and | felt like | was losing my grip on reality.

“Penny, this is crazy. | have to set things straight,” | said snippily. Before Penny could respond, frustration boiled over, and | shouted, “We're not dating! Then, | hung up the phone.

| emerged from the alleyway, determined to rush home and put an end to the growing misconceptions. | couldn’t bear the thought of people believing a false narrative about my life. At this point, how would | separate myself from Timothy?

With my heart racing and my cheeks flushed, | took off at a brisk pace down the street.

As | wandered through the streets, | couldn’t help but notice the transformation. that had taken place. Posters and displays adorned storefronts, lampposts, and bulletin boards. My heart sank as | realized what they were.

Fans had taken it upon themselves to create a shrine of sorts, dedicated to Timothy and me.

| stopped in front of one such display, my eyes widening in disbelief. Someone had photoshopped our faces together, creating an image of what they believed was the perfect couple. Beneath the image, a sign proclaimed Timothy as a hero, with hearts and exclamation marks adorning the corners.

A group of teenagers passed by, and one of them pointed at the display. “Look, it’s TEVIE! They’re so cute together.”

| felt a flush of embarrassment and annoyance wash over me. This had gone too

far.

As | turned a corner, | stumbled upon another display, this time outside a coffee shop. A large poster depicted Timothy in a heroic

pose, his face superimposed. onto the body of a valiant knight, brandishing a sword. Beside him, | was Photoshopped as a damsel in distress, looking up at him with adoring eyes.

Agroup of giggling girls stood nearby, snapping photos of the poster. “Isn't Timothy just dreamy?, one of them exclaimed. 34

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| clenched my fists in frustration. | wanted to shout from the rooftops that

Timothy and | had nothing to do with each other now. The narrative had taken on a life of its own.

This bored town seemed to have fallen head over heels for his heroic image, and | couldn’t deny that he had earned the recognition, swooping in the way he had last night. If he hadn’t rammed into Bruce, he might've fled even sooner.

Eventually, | made my way to a small park, hoping for a moment of tranquility. My gaze fell on the swing set a few steps away. They were the same swings from the night he'd walked me around after his game.Please check at N/ôvel(D)rama.Org.

The warm breeze rustled the leaves above me, and | closed my eyes, trying to clear my mind. Unless | left town, | was doomed to be devoured by this town’s obsession. | would never be allowed to forget.

As | finally arrived at the apartment building, my mind was consumed by the need to confront Timothy. Part of me wondered if his little chat with the media had provoked this reaction. If | didn’t know nay better, | would say that it was well- orchestrated.

Just as | reached the entrance, my thoughts consumed by the task at hand, my body slammed into a hard object. | stumbled backward, my phone slipping from my grasp and skidding across the marble floor of the lobby.

“Oh, I’m so sorry,” | stammered, looking up to see Timothy standing before me, a bewildered expression on his face. He was equally flustered, his eyes widening in surprise. “Evie?”

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